Newcastle United will reportedly have to stump up €25 million to secure the services of Atlanta’s explosive striker Duvan Zapata this summer.
According to the Italian newspaper L’Eco Di Bergamo, as relayed by Calcio Atalanta, Newcastle United have been told they can snap up Colombian hitman Duvan Zapata for a cut-price €25 million fee. That is a significant drop from Atalanta’s exorbitant valuation back in January.
Newcastle United are on the hunt for a new striker after stepping away from the negotiations to sign Hugo Ekitike. The Reims frontman has since joined Paris Saint-Germain to put a stop to the six-month-long transfer saga. The Magpies have been linked with a range of other options since then.
Alexander Isak emerged as Newcastle United’s main target, and Armando Broja has been mentioned as another possibility. However, Newcastle have been put off in their pursuit of Isak with Real Sociedad demanding in excess of £76 million, while the latter seems to be heading to West Ham United.
As such, Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata is also considered a viable attacking option this summer. Back in January, Newcastle looked into recruiting Zapata but were quoted an initial loan fee with the obligation of a permanent transfer beyond their acceptable valuation this summer by the Serie A outfit.
The Toon chiefs baulked at exorbitant demands for a player who turned 31 in January and instead turned their attentions to Chris Wood at the time. But given the New Zealander’s sub-par showings in the latter stages of last season, Newcastle may have to revisit their interest in the South American goal-machine, who could be made available for a much more reasonable price this time around.
The report states Atalanta are bracing themselves for proposals from English clubs, particularly Newcastle, to sell the forward. It is suggested that the Serie A club’s president Antonio Percassi would give the green light for Zapata’s sale if Newcastle stump up as little as €25 million.
Since joining Atalanta in 2018, Zapata has been one of the best strikers in Serie A, netting 79 goals in 162 games for La Dea and even starring in the UEFA Champions League multiple times. Last season, however, was difficult for the 31-year-old, as he finished with only 13 goals and seven assists from 32 appearances and missed a chunk of the season due to muscle and hamstring injuries.
Despite still having two years left on his contract, Zapata has been included in the Serie A outfit’s expendable list because they do not want to risk losing out on his value anymore, much like strike-partner Luis Muriel, who is now available for only €15 million due to being in the final year of his contract.
While he is at the wrong end of the age spectrum, Zapata’s record of 150 goal contributions from 257 Serie A appearances and a further 14 goal involvements in 22 Champions League outings speaks for itself.
A lethal combination of pace, power, and finesse, he is renowned for his hold-up play and ability to create space for his teammates and would offer healthy competition to Newcastle’s primary striker, Callum Wilson, should the Colombian international arrive at St. James’ Park. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle will make a bid in the region of €25 million for Zapata this summer.
